Savant Pianist Derek Paravicini Amazes on 60 Minutes

Derek Paravicini, a blind savant from England, is profiled tonight on CBS' 60 Minutes. Paravicini, 30 years old, has a difficult time communicating verbally and physically. But he plays the piano at a level that is beyond brilliant; it seems almost otherworldly.

As Lesley Stahl looks on and makes requests, as if sitting next to a Billy Joel type piano man in a dark lounge, Paravicini seamlessly and effortlessly transitions between classical, pop, and show tunes.

Not only, in fact, is Paravicini able to play any piece of music that he's ever heard, he's able to play them in any number of different styles, taking a show tune, for example, and playing it in a jazz style and back again as if he is simply changing the stations on a television.

Asked, however, to take his hands off of the piano and raise three fingers for the camera, Paravicini awkwardly raises both hands and seems lost.

The juxtaposition of Paravicini's awkward social interactions and his beautiful piano expression is as striking as anything you will ever watch; it will, quite easily put a lump in your throat.

The condition of savant syndrome, sadly, most often does not come with ability as extraordinary as Paravicini's. As with most human conditions, the vast majority of people fitting into the savant category do not demonstrate this type of special talent. Though the signs of extraordinary ability are often there, they are far more subtle.

According to the Savant Academy, an organization dedicated to helping people with Savant Syndrome, there are probably no more than fifty people in the world today who possess the sort of talent that Paravicini does.

Its website states, "Savants may demonstrate, for example, an ability to recite pages of text on a single hearing, to multiply six-digit numbers in their head, or to memorize and perform any song played for them just once. The 1988 film "Rain Man" introduced the concept of an autistic savant to a wider audience. Such prodigious savants are extremely rare."

While savant syndrome is not well understood, a leading theory is that damage to the left hemisphere of the brain triggers a compensation from the right, or creative, side, leading to extraordinary abilities on one level and severe disabilities on another.

Many leading researchers believe that developing a greater understanding of the root causes of savant syndrome will lead to a greater understanding of how the entire brain functions and how treatments for other, less severe conditions may be designed.

An interesting ethical and existential dilemma is bound to develop as research into savant syndrome continues. At what point are people simply who are they are? At what point is somebody not 'broken' in need of a fix?

Many listening to Derek Paravicini play piano on 60 Minutes tonight will, at least selfishly, like him and his so-called disability just the way they are.

Source: Lesley Stahl, "Derek Paravicini", cbsnews.com